GETTING DAZZLED
IN MORTON
In most places the holiday
shopping season officially kicks
off on Black Friday, the day after
Thanksgiving. But in Morton,
merchants get it started a couple
weeks earlier.
The Holidazzle Community
events are Friday and Saturday,
Nov. 9 and 10, and they include
open houses at most village
merchants.
The weekend kicks off with
the lighting of the community
Christmas Tree of Dreams at 309
N. Main St. at 7 p.m. on Friday. It
follows a chili supper at the Mor-
ton Community United church
of Christ that begins at 4:30 p.m.
and the arrival of Santa Claus at
Morton Community Bank, 218 N.
Main St. at 5 p.m.
On Saturday, the Fifth Annual
Holidazzle weekend, presented
by the Morton Tourism Associa-
tion, will continue with merchant
open houses and other events all
day. There also will be a Christ-
mas craft sale from 9 a.m. to 3
p.m. at Morton United Methodist
Church, 420 N. Tennessee Ave.,
and a Stop & Shop Open House
from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Morton
Community Church of Christ,
300
N. Main.
Village merchants will be open
from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. as part of a
“
community wide Holiday Open
House that will give you a chance
to find the perfect gift for every-
one on your list,” the Tourism
Association said.
In addition, Santa Claus will be
at Pawsitively Pets from noon to 2
p.m. for photos with your favor-
ite pet. Singsations will perform
at the DQ parking lot at noon and
high school students will perform
in costume at Eli’s at 11 a.m., The
Red Barn at noon and Pumpkin
Glass at 1p.m.
Field Shopping Center will
feature a petting zoo, visits with
Santa, Kid’s Cookie decorating
and other activities.
More details can be found at
or call
266-5135
with questions.
CANDLES WILL LIGHT
DOWNTOWN PEKIN
Pekin’s Winter Wonderland Pa-
rade has become an annual tradi-
tion that includes something you
don’t often see around Christmas:
fireworks.
The parade, which this year is
Sunday, Nov. 25, begins at 3:30
p.m. at 9th and Broadway and
ends at Mineral Springs Park.
About 5 p.m., fireworks are shot
across the Lagoon, kicking off a
season of events that continues
through the holidays.
That day will have the dedica-
tion of Christmas trees in the
park, with caroling and carriage
rides and a visit from Santa Claus
included. The following weekend
in the Winter Wonderland Ball-
room Dance and the Gingerbread
House Workshop.
On Friday Nov. 30, more than
1,000
candlelight luminaries will
give downtown Pekin “a warm,
festive glow” from 5 to 8 p.m.
during the annual Christmas on
Court celebration and business
open house, presented by Pekin
Main Street.
Horse-drawn carriage rides
will start at Pekin Community
Bank, 601 Court St., for $1 a per-
son and at Advanced Medical
Transport, 418 Elizabeth Street.
Santa Claus will welcome chil-
dren inside Pekin Community
Bank.
Visitors also will enjoy strolling
carolers from area schools while
visiting the area businesses that
will be open for shopping and
dining. Businesses will offer
treats and refreshments, door
prizes, entertainment, discounts,
and promotions.
For more information visit
and
.
com.
19
thePeorian.com
The Present
